Neolithic Age in India – The word ‘neolithic’ is derived form the two Greek words ‘neo’ meaning ‘new’ and ‘lithic’ meaning ‘stone’. So Neolithic age means New stone age. In this period, the men used polished tools and weapons of different varieties.
The Neolithic is generally defined as a way of lie involving
crop cultivation, animal husbandry and settled life. In the Indian context
Neolithic Age began in 7000 BC. Mehrgarh situated in Baluchistan is the only
site belonging to this period
This age marks the climax of the growth of stone age
culture. During this period stone continued to be the main material used by man
in his daily life. But the implements of this age are far more superior than
the preceding age. The tools are polished and have geometric designs. Various
types of stones such as the fine grained dark green trap, diorite, basalt,
slate and sandstone were used for making tools. These tools were highly
finished. Different shapes and sizes were given to the tools according to the
requirements of purpose. The implements include axes, celts, adzes, chisels, picks,
hammers, discs and sling stones.
The Neolithic age does not simply mark a distinct progress
in tool making industry; but introduces revolutionary changes in the different
aspects of human life. Following are some changes:
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Man came to know about the use of fire which
changed his food habits and made his life more comfortable
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Beginnings of agriculture is another landmark of
this age. As a result of this the Neolithic man started plantation of fruit
trees and growing corn
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The beginning of agriculture coincided with the
domestication of animals such as dog, cow, ox and goat. The domesticated
animals helped man in agriculture and transport. They also provided milk.
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Agriculture and domestication of animals
required the man to stay at a particular place and thus brought a settled life.
Instead of taking shelter only in caves, he build houses of wood and thatch. It
paved the way of settled civilization.
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Every change that occurred during this age
proved to be the cause of further changes. With the beginning of cooking food
and agriculture, a change in the form of utensils had become inevitable. This
inevitability resulted in the introduction of the potters industry. In the
beginning only handmade pottery was known. The discovery of the wheel
accelerated the progress of human civilization tremendously. The wheel
simplified the manufacturing of pottery as well as increased the speed of
production.
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The Neolithic age also marked the beginning of
spinning and weaving industry
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The settled life of the Neolithic age was bund
to encourage the aesthetic sense of man. The cave dwellers of het period
burnished and polished the cave walls and used them for drawing different types
of paintings. Such paintings can be seen in the rock shelters at Bhimbetka near
Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
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The Neolithic people also developed social
institutions and religious beliefs. The institution of family is said to have
taken its roots during this period. The dead bodies were kept in urns and were
buried along with food and the objects used by the dead persons. The burials
were protected by roof of stones and a stone circle around. It indicates that
people had deep regard toward the dead persons. It also gives an indication of
the belief in life after death.
Neolithic sites:
Burzahom in Kashmir – At this site dogs and wolves were
buried with their owners.
Gufral in Kashmir – ‘Gufral’ literally means ‘cave of the
potter’.
Mehrgarh – regarded as the ‘bread basket’ of Baluchistan
Gumla on the right bank of Indus
Saraikhola near Taxila
Jalilpur near left bank of Ravi – characterized by stone
blade industry, terracotta net sinkers for fishing.
Koldihwa and Mahagara near south of Allahabad. Here we find
evidence of rice in the form of charred rice and Neolithic pots containing rice
husks. This is the oldest evidence of rice cultivation not only in India but
also anywhere in the world.
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